A devastating tragedy struck Ahmedabad today when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed moments after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:39 PM IST. The flight, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, totaling 242 people, plummeted into the Meghaninagar residential area, leaving no survivors, according to local police reports.
Crash Details and Immediate Aftermath
The aircraft, which departed from Runway 23, issued a MAYDAY distress call shortly after takeoff, indicating an emergency. Air traffic control lost contact within a minute as the plane reached a maximum altitude of 625 feet before a rapid descent at -475 feet per minute, per Flightradar24 data. The crash site, near a medical college hostel in Meghaninagar, was engulfed in dense black smoke, with the plane’s collision causing additional ground casualties, including an unconfirmed number of injuries among hostel residents.
Rescue operations were swiftly mobilized, with 130 Indian Army personnel, alongside teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Coast Guards, working tirelessly at the site. Authorities have recovered 204 bodies, with local police stating that the chances of survival for those under treatment are minimal.
Passenger Details and Notable Losses
The passenger manifest, released by Air India, confirms 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian were on board. Among the deceased was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, whose presence has deepened the tragedy’s impact in the region. Air India has established emergency helplines—1800-569-1444 for Indian nationals and +91 8062779200 for foreign nationals—to assist families seeking information.
Official Responses and Investigation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief, stating on X, “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words.” He has coordinated with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, both en route to Ahmedabad to oversee relief efforts. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the crash “devastating,” noting the significant number of British nationals on board. Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and Russian President Vladimir Putin also extended condolences.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a probe, with efforts focused on recovering the black box to determine the cause of the crash. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the MAYDAY call, and Boeing representatives are collaborating with Indian authorities. Initial reports suggest the plane struggled to gain altitude, with videos showing it flying low with landing gear deployed before impact.
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Airport Operations and Broader Impact
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport was temporarily shut down, canceling flights, including IndiGo’s Kolkata-Ahmedabad service. Limited operations have since resumed. The crash has also impacted Boeing, with its shares dropping 8% in pre-market trade on NASDAQ, marking the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Air India Chairperson Natarajan Chandrasekaran called the incident a “tragic accident,” and the airline removed display pictures from its social media accounts as a mark of respect.
Ongoing Developments
As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on supporting affected families and investigating the cause of this catastrophic event. The Interview Times will provide updates as new information emerges. For further details, visit airindia.com or follow Air India’s official X handle.